Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-09-22
THE MUNCHRATH TRIAL.


Sioux Cry, Sept 13.--The defense
began taking evidence in the Haddock
murder case to-day. the State having rest
ed shortly before noon. Bismarck" was
again on the stand and subjected TO
severe cross examination without impair
ing his evidence, which was in corrobora.
ton OF other State witnesses showing
that defendant Munchrath was at the
scene OF the murder, Among the first
witnesses of the defense was Jailcr Cruik.
shank, who swore 10 an interview in the
Jail between Leavitt and Bismarck, in
which the former said: you know Ar.
ensdorf shot Haddock as well as me;
stick TO the story told you and we will
come out all right" The jailer got con.
siderably muddled on cross examination.
The defense Is seeking TO prove the good
character OF defendant Munchrath and
the disreputable life Of Bismarck, and
also that the latter was drunk the night
of the murder. The public are imbued
with the idea that had all the defendants
been as drunk rs Bismarck" II might
have refreshed their memory and tended
to clear up the Haddock murder mystery.
The evidence educcd by the State has
been one straight line OF connecting links,
all forming chain OF convincing proof
as to the guilt OF the accused, and II a
conviction is not had II will be fruitless
attempt to try any Of the other defend.
ants, unless the State becomes possessed
% evidence of wonderful character,
The majority OF the people accept with
confidence the story of Bismarck, and
Policeman Smith, whom Bismarck" ap.
preached that night and was rebulred,
admits that he now believes that bis.
marck" wanted to tell him all about the
tragedy. "Bismarck's" story seems TO be
that OF an untutored mind simple, truth.
full and incapable of withstanding rigid
cross. examination unless II was the truth.
The case will likely go TO the jury Sat.
urday. The jury is as good one az can
be had in this county, and they have
listened to the evidence with interest and
duty.
Sioux CRY, Sept, l4.--This has been a
field day for the defense in the Haddock
case, and at the adjournment hour they
felt happy and sanguine, Paul Leader,
one Of the defendants, and keeper of the
Milwaukee house, was on the witness
stand early in the day. He acknowledges
that he was near the scene Of the murder
when II occurred, but he said that the de-
PENDANT Mnnchrath. was not Of the mum.
Der assembled on Dienens corner, An
eX 'sailor, barkeeper and second.cas hotel
clerk testified that he met MunChrath
three blocks east of Water street about
the time the killing took place.
Henry Sherman, under indictment, gave
evidence that he and Munchrath went to
the saloon keepers meeting together and
that there was no talk Of doing up" any
body.
A ripple of excitement was occasioncd
when John Arensdorf. the chief defend
ant, took the stand and gave evidence TO
the effect that Leavitt and Bismarck had
lied from first TO last
Mrs. Munchrath, mother Of the defend.
and said that "shc was ut her front win.
dows, four blocks east Of Water street.
Heard the shot fired which killed Had
dock. and going almost Immediately into
her dining room, loind her husband and
Fred (the defendant) there" The father,
sister and brother'in.law of the defendant
stated that he was ut his fathers house
from 1918 to l045 the night Of the muir
der.
The defendant when on the stand dc.
MED in toto all Of Leavitt and Bismarck's
statements, acknowledging that he, out
of curiosity, halted the hack in which
was District Attorney Murphy. In cross.
examination he admitted that early that
night he visited nearly every saloon in the
city, going in company with Louis Platte,
the fugitive defendanD. According to
Paul Lander's testimony Munchrath and
he left junk saloon about the some time.
and IL such be the case he could not have
reached his fathers house before the shot
was fired.
The defense will rest early in the morn
ing and the state begin the rebuttal, which
promises to be the featlre Of the trial and
yield up some sensational developments.
A number Of witnesses have been sub.
pGnaed, among whom Is ID. T. Wood.
The latter informed your correspondent
tonight that he had been approached by
the defense, seeking immunity for Arcns-
dorf providing he would tell all he knew.
Wood says Lcavitt has told but half OF
his story, and that facts yet TO be devel-
oped win implicatc numerous other par.
ties in the occurrences Of the night Of
Aug 3d. The verdict Of the jury win de-
pend in large degree upon the courts
Instructions.